Barbara B. Proud, a professional commercial and fine art photographer, graduated from William Penn High School in 1974, second in her class with a 4.0 average, and gave the salutatorian speech at her graduation. She was actively involved in school activities and sports, and all of her family members dating back to 1933 graduated from William Penn and are/were dedicated Colonials.
Proud has displayed her work in solo and group shows around the world. She photographed President Barack Obama and Lady Gaga on the same day and has an impressive list of clients.
Proud’s current work is a series of socially conscious documentary projects focused on the LGBTQ+ and transgender communities. Her book, “First Comes Love,” is a traveling exhibition of photographs, stories, and videos of couples in long-term relationships. When the mainstream publishers refused to take on her project, Proud self-published the coffee table book “First Comes Love: Portraits of Enduring LGBTQ Relationships.” A compilation of stunning black and white portraits of 65 couples, the book has received two gold medal awards. Proud’s short film, A Circle of Diamonds” has been included in 16 film festivals worldwide.
Proud’s sequel project, “Transcending Love” is a current work in progress and is focused on transgender and gender non-conforming couples across the country in an attempt to open people’s hearts and minds to accept a community deserving of understanding, respect, and basic human rights.
Proud lives in Wilmington with her wife, Allison, and teaches at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and the International Center of Photography in New York City.
Learn more at https://www.firstcomeslove.org/About-the-Artist/1
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